Cats and dogs assisted by Tails and Whiskers and the smaller animal rescue organisations it supports received tons of love and support from Rand Aid Association in celebration of Nelson Mandela Month.
Rand Aid’s Elphin Lodge retirement village and Ron Smith Care Centre (RSCC) went all out to commemorate Mandela Month by supporting animal welfare and rescue non-profit organisation Tails and Whiskers.
The project, which ran from 7 June to 18 July, was launched when Sharon Blackwell, the founder of the Tails and Whiskers, and her team, visited the village and care centre with some of the organisation’s animals to speak to residents about its animal welfare and rescue work in various communities.
Tails and Whiskers raises funds, via its charity shop and Saturday markets in Edenvale, to help and support several smaller animal welfare organisations in the area.
After Tails and Whiskers’ presentation, residents and staff had a lovely time cuddling and interacting with the dogs and cats.
“For many, the time spent with these animals brought back precious memories of all the wonderful pets they have had in their lives,” says Debbie Christen, Rand Aid’s manager of recreational programmes.
The village and care centre then ran a food and blanket drive for the organisation and collected items for it to sell in its charity shop.
On Mandela Day, some of RSCC’s residents spent their 67 minutes making dog biscuits to donate to Tails and Whiskers. The biscuits were delivered to the organisation by RSCC’s recreation team, along with packaged beaded jewellery that was made by staff and residents. A final load of dog and cat food, blankets and items for the charity shop, all donated by residents, was also dropped off.
“We are humbled and inspired by the love, dedication and passion with which the Tails and Whiskers team and their beneficiaries do their work. In the spirit of Mandela Month, we felt that this was a most worthy charity organisation to support,” says Debbie.
“A special thank you to everyone who supported this worthwhile project and made a significant difference in these animals’ lives,” she adds.
RSCC resident Olive Jew gets some loving licks from Watson, much to the delight of Isabel Peddie, Rhona Burnham and Trish Llewelyn.
Annabelle Lucas and Cathy Basterfield.
Ellen Quinn rolls out the dough to make dog biscuits.
Maureen Wollenschlaeger cuts out her biscuits.
The recreation team delivered the dog biscuits and other donations collected by Elphin Lodge and RSCC to the Tails and Whiskers on Mandela Day. Pictured are Debbie Christen, Lucia Nkuna, Evelyn Shilubane and Marlé Eloff.
RSCC residents Ria Milburn, Pearl Porter, Bernie Jawitz, Marion Simmonds and Brian Russell.
The finished product for the dogs to enjoy!
